By Osman Can Yerebakan, CNN (CNN) — What did it mean to go viral at the height of the Renaissance? In Northern Belgium, which underwent a meteoric socioeconomic boom between the 15th and 18th centuries, it was through art, as a budding upper middle class in search of status symbols radically shifted how paintings were
Continue ReadingAssociated Press TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s government Thursday ended a weeklong information campaign urging caution and preparedness for a possible “megaquake” — an earthquake of magnitude 8 strength or higher — striking the Pacific coast. The announcement came after no abnormal seismic activity was detected during the past week. Still, officials urged people not to
Continue ReadingAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month by the most in a year and a half, easing concerns that the economy might be weakening under the pressure of higher prices and elevated interest rates. Retail sales jumped 1% from June to July, the biggest such increase since
Continue ReadingAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week, another sign that the job market remains resilient in the face of high interest rates. Jobless claims dropped by 7,000 to 227,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week
Continue ReadingVice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden held a joint appearance to announce price cuts for popular Medicare drugs. Deals have been reached with drug companies to lower the price for 10 of Medicare’s most popular and costliest drugs. Medicare spent $50 billion covering the drugs last year. The Medicare program, which provides health
Continue ReadingBy Bryan Mena, CNN Washington (CNN) — The backbone of America’s economy remains solid, despite a slowing job market, elevated interest rates and still-high inflation. Sales at US retailers unexpectedly surged in July, the Commerce Department said Thursday, rising by a solid 1% from the prior month, up from June’s downwardly revised 0.2% decline. That
Continue ReadingBy Kevin Dotson, CNN (CNN) — The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is standing by its ruling that Romania’s Ana Bărbosu is the rightful third place finisher in floor exercise at the Paris Olympics. The decision led the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to request that American gymnast Jordan Chiles return the bronze medal she
Continue ReadingBy Barbie Latza Nadeau and Antonia Mortensen, CNN Rome (CNN) — Dream Roman Holidays may be more like a nightmare for anyone visiting Italy over the next few days. Such huge numbers are expected to descend on the country’s popular destinations around a major holiday that special measures are being put in place to keep
Continue ReadingBy Julia Buckley, CNN (CNN) — For some it’s the dream: a flight pass around Europe and the Mediterranean. For others, of course, it’s an ecological nightmare. Wizz Air’s new All You Can Fly pass will allow unlimited flights for pass holders for a year, starting September 25, for as little as 499 euros ($549).
Continue ReadingBy Thomas Schlachter, CNN (CNN) — The next head coach of the US men’s national soccer team will be Mauricio Pochettino, according to reports. Pochettino has agreed to terms with the team and will soon be announced as head coach, according to multiple reports, including The Athletic’s David Ornstein. CNN has reached out to the
Continue ReadingAssociated Press ATCHISON, Kansas (AP) — Among corporate America’s most persistent shareholder activists are 80 nuns in a monastery outside Kansas City. Nestled amid rolling farmland, the Benedictine sisters of Mount St. Scholastica have taken on the likes of Google, Target and Citigroup — calling on major companies to do everything from AI oversight to
Continue ReadingBy George Ramsay, CNN (CNN) — Naomi Osaka says that she is still adjusting to playing tennis following the birth of her daughter last year. Osaka, a four-time grand slam champion, returned to competitive tennis at the start of this year after a maternity leave. Currently ranked No. 90 in the world, the Japanese star
Continue ReadingAP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The latest Dr. Seuss releases are designed for the very youngest audience. Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books announced on Thursday the launch of Dr. Seuss Babies, which includes interactive board books, a video series called “Learn to Read” and a line of diapers, onesies and
Continue ReadingAssociated Press WARSAW, Poland (AP) — NATO member Poland is paying tribute to its historic victory over the Red Army by honoring fallen Poles and displaying its modern armed forces, which it hopes will deter the threat it sees in modern-day Russia. A parade featuring Polish and allied solders passed through the center of Warsaw
Continue ReadingJulia Hernández (CNN) — Cuando el candidato demócrata a la vicepresidencia Tim Walz se presentó por primera vez al Congreso en 2006, su campaña hizo repetidas declaraciones falsas sobre los detalles de su detención en 1995 por conducir ebrio y de forma temeraria. Según los registros judiciales y policiales relacionados con el incidente, Walz admitió
Continue ReadingAssociated Press DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Hundreds of student protesters and other political activists in Bangladesh have attacked and barred the supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s supporters from reaching her father and independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s house — now a museum — in the capital. Thursday is the anniversary of Rahman’s death,
Continue ReadingAssociated Press JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African prosecutors have withdrawn immigration-related charges against 95 Libyan nationals who were arrested last month at what police called an illegal military training camp in the northern Mpumalanga province. Police had said that the men — who entered the country on study visas — were receiving military training at
Continue ReadingAP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart had another quarter of strong sales that topped almost all expectations with its comparatively low prices proving a powerful draw for millions who have struggled with rising costs for housing, groceries and almost everything else. The nation’s largest retailer raised its full-year outlook and executives said their
Continue ReadingAssociated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Ernesto has strengthened into a Category 2 storm as it barrels toward Bermuda after leaving hundreds of thousands of people in Puerto Rico without power or water. Sweltering heat enveloped the U.S. territory, raising concerns about people’s health. A hurricane warning is in effect for Bermuda,
Continue ReadingBy Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN New York (CNN) — Americans are cutting back on Disney parks, Big Macs and Starbucks coffee. But they keep shopping at Walmart. Walmart’s US sales at stores open for at least one year increased 4.2% last quarter and its operating income surged 8.5% during the quarter. Walmart’s US digital sales are
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